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Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘Monday Memos’ I have another exciting interview for y’all. I recently asked Merritt Graves, and Skylar Funk of Trapdoor social some questions about the band’s musical influences, what inspired the sound of their newest EP ‘Science of Love’, and what they want their legacy to be. Whether you’re already COMPLETELY addicted to this rising indie pop band, or you haven’t heard of them but want to know more (you can read this previous blog to learn more about the band Monday Memos: Trapdoor Social. Great Music, Big Hearts | celindareyesblog), then please read on, and remember that their newest EP ‘Science of Love’ is available for purchase on ITunes.

Celinda: Hi guys! I read that you first formed the band at an environmental event at Pomona College. What initially sparked the idea of starting a band together?

Trapdoor Social: We were both very concerned about sustainability and wanted to make music, so we decided to combine the two into a single project.

Celinda: Very cool. So what bands or artists have influenced your musical style?

Merritt: For me it’s been Radiohead, Muse, Tears for Fears, Third Eye Blind and Death Cab for Cutie.

Celinda: Are there any bands or artists that have influenced you that may be surprising to your fans?

Merritt: I don’t know about surprising per se, but our influences stretch pretty far apart and it can be interesting to see how we can fuse them. For example, I really like orchestral stuff, while Skylar likes rap and funk, so all of these interests come together in some unpredictable ways.

Trapdoor Social: We wanted to write a song you could really groove to, after that everything else just seemed to fall into place, once we had that feel locked in on the chorus. That’s what often happens on a song, you get a beat or a melody that you’re compelled by and it informs the next thing which informs the next thing – so on and so on.

Celinda: Definitely sounds like a really fun process. I know that this next one might be a hard question to answer, but what’s your favorite track on ‘Science of Love’?

Merritt: Science of Love

Skylar: Old Wings

Celinda: I love both those songs too! So, I feel that your music just continues to get better and better, how would you say your music has evolved from ‘Death of a Friend’ to ‘Science of Love’?

Trapdoor Social: Well, we definitely have some more electronic elements but the albums also reflect what we’re feeling and what we care about at the time, and of course some of that changes and some of that stays the same. For example, on Science of Love we still greatly care about and promote sustainability, but we’ve started thinking more about how sustainability applies to technology – those ideas definitely bleed into how we write lyrics.

Celinda: That’s really cool; it makes me excited to see what will be discussed on the next project you work on. Now I usually like to ask this question because I find that every artist/band gives me really unique answers, but how do you each prepare for a performance?

Trapdoor Social: We always try to think about the things that really matter to us and freeze everything else out . . . then it’s just you and the music and the people you’re trying to connect to. Also, It’s not very rock and roll, but we always do a vocal warm-up beforehand, too.

Celinda: I’m sure your fans appreciate the fact that you’re so mentally and physical prepared when you go on stage, it definitely makes the energy in the room feel different. Another question that I like to ask artists/bands is what’s one thing that you wished you had known about the music industry before entering it?

Trapdoor Social: We knew it was going to be tough so no surprises there.

Celinda: I love that you guys were prepared, makes the quality of your work so much better. So what would you like your legacy to be?

Merritt: To have always tried our best in the face of adversity.

Skylar: To leave the world better than we found it.

Celinda: Those are some really amazing answers; with this kind of positivity, I certainly think that you guys will be remembered fondly by your fans. So, is there anything else you’d like to add for your fans, or for people who are just now discovering your music?

Trapdoor Social: Just to stop by and say “hi” on Facebook or Twitter, or come see us on tour this summer! We love to meet the people who listen to us.

Celinda: Well that’s all for now guys, but thank you for your time and good luck on the rest of your tour!

So as I’m sure you can tell, Trapdoor Social is a band of musicians who love what they do, and love their supporters. If you want to be able to say that you heard of this band first (Hello bragging rights!!!), then please check out their music, and fall in love with their greatness.So if you’re not already supporting them, what are you waiting for! C’mon listen to their EP, check out their social media site, but a ticket to one of their shows, I promise you WON’T regret it (pinky promise ok? Great now it’s official!). I had an image that displays all of Trapdoor Social’s tour dates on the third leg of their current tour, but I couldn’t get the image to appear big and clear enough to read, so I will post the dates on my official Facebook page which you can get to by clicking here: Celindareyesblog | Facebook Keep in touch with Trapdoor Social: Twitter: Trapdoor Social (TrapdoorSocial) on Twitter YouTube: Trapdoor Social Facebook: Trapdoor Social | Facebook Website: Trapdoor Social

All photos and information used in this blog belong to Trapdoor Social, blastyourstereo.com, diffuser.fm, antimusic.com, all of the people, businesses, and organizations that are associated in any way, shape, or form with Homeboy Industries, Death Cab For Cutie, Maroon 5, The Fray, Blink-182, Jimmy Eats World, American Authors, Simple Plan, Metro Station, Jason McGerr, Pomona College, Merritt Graves, Skylar Funk, Bedrock Studios, all of the directors, producers, and any other individuals who made these tracks and music videos possible, and all other original owners. I do not own anything in this blog. All opinions expressed in this blog are my own. I wrote this blog for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.

Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘Monday Memos’ we are going to discuss an INCREDIBLE new band whose member’s heart’s are just as big as their musical talent. Trapdoor Social has made numerous strides in the industry thus far, and is on the verge of becoming YOUR new favorite band. As the wise philosopher Augustus Waters once said, they’re “…on a rollercoaster that only goes up…”. So people of the internet, let’s get started!

Merritt Graves and Skylar Funk of Trapdoor Social met at Pomona College (located in Southern California) during an environmental program. The band introduced themselves as a musical force with the release of their 2012 EP ‘Death Of A Friend’. The EP fused the band’s musical influences into an incredibly strong introduction that alternative rock fans would definitely gravitate towards. ‘Death Of A Friend’ was produced by Curt Schneider, and features Death Cab For Cutie’s drummer Jason McGerr. The EP quickly became a hit due in part to the single ‘Like You Never’ (which received radio play from a number of major market stations around the US). On May 20th, 2014 Trapdoor Social released their latest EP ‘Science of Love’. The EP produced two AMAZING singles entitled ‘Science of Love’ and ‘Angel City’ (you can see a live in-studio version of ‘Angel City’ here:Trapdoor Social – “Angel City” (Live at Bedrock Studios) – YouTube). While working on ‘Science of Love’ (the EP), Trapdoor Social became connected with ‘Homeboy Industries’ (a non-profit that allows former gang members the opportunity to find jobs as they re-enter society). Due to the band’s passion for the environment and music, they agreed to partner with ‘Homeboy Industries’ and generosity donated 100% of proceeds from ‘Science of Love’ towards adding a solar rooftop to the company’s headquarters.

Ok, now that you know Trapdoor Social’s background let’s dive into the music. Ok? Ok! I found the band’s first EP ‘Death of A Friend’ to be a very diverse record. I definitely suggest this EP to all fans of rock music, no matter what your particular tastes within the genre may be. After listening to the EP, I can definitely see why tracks such as, ‘Like You Never’ (which was the single off of this EP, please check out the music video here Like You Never), were such big hits for Trapdoor Social. ‘Like You Never’ has very fun lyrics, and the overall vibe is very comparable to the sound ‘Blink-182’ had in the 90s, fused with Jimmy Eats World (specifically the sound they had on the track ‘Hear Me You’). The album itself also contains songs that will resonate with fans of bands such as: American Authors, Simple Plan, and Metro Station. Basically if you’re a fan of any sub genre of rock, you will LOVE this EP. Next we move on to the band’s latest EP ‘Science of Love’ (you may now say yay…ok, ok let’s get on with the music). I really liked that ‘Science of Love’ showed the band’s growth, but did not completely waver from ‘Death of A Friend’. The EP allowed the band to step a bit out of its’ comfort zone with tracks such as ‘Paper Love’ and ‘Out Alive’ (the two tracks had a very pop feel, similar to Maroon 5 and The Fray), but also keep a familiar vibe with songs like ‘Science of Love’ (the track that shared the same title as the EP). Speaking of the track ‘Science of Love’ (you can find the official music video for this track here: Science Of Love – Offical Music Video), let’s discuss this single a little more. In April of 2014, Trapdoor Social discussed the track ‘Science of Love’ with antimusic.com, and stated that “Often love can bring out the best in us, allowing us to create things we would have never been able to absent the inspiration, but it can also encourage us to be reckless and take risks in its attainment”. This track is a fun, radio friendly song that will DEFINITELY find its’ way onto your music libraries, and keep you dancing all summer. The band’s newest single ‘Angel City’ (you can see a live in-studio version of the track here: Trapdoor Social – “Angel City” (Live at Bedrock Studios) – YouTube), is a very powerful song that will have you singing along in no time. This track really gives the EP a unique identity that makes it instantly recognizable. This makes it a perfect radio song for Trapdoor Social, because fans would instantly recognize this song, and new fans would be intrigued and left wanting to know more.

So are y’all addicted to Trapdoor Social yet!?! You’re welcome! But seriously people of the internet, I do have a question for you. Do you want to be the first to fall in love with a band that will very soon become a household name? Do you want to find new, AMAZING music that will become the soundtrack to all of your favorite summer memories? Don’t you want to support a band that is not only 100% dedicated to their music, but also to the important causes that are near and dear to them? The answer to all of these questions is yes (but I know that you already knew that). So I suggest that you all become very familiar with Trapdoor Social because very soon this powerhouse band will be inescapable.

All photos and information used in this blog belong to Trapdoor Social, blastyourstereo.com, diffuser.fm, antimusic.com, all of the people, businesses, and organizations that are associated in any way, shape, or form with Homeboy Industries, Death Cab For Cutie, Maroon 5, The Fray, Blink-182, Jimmy Eats World, American Authors, Simple Plan, Metro Station, Jason McGerr, Pomona College, Merritt Graves, Skylar Funk, Bedrock Studios, all of the directors, producers, and any other individuals who made these tracks and music videos possible, and all other original owners. I do not own anything in this blog. All opinions expressed in this blog are my own. I wrote this blog for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.

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